Believers will not receive their rewards until the end of time because the full effect of their lives and service cannot be known until history concludes.
Scripture teaches that no one should judge before the Lord comes, for He alone will reveal the complete outcome of a believer's life (1 Corinthians 4:5). Les Feldick emphasizes that believers' works produce rewards that are laid up in heaven, but the extent of those rewards depends on faithfulness, and the final assessment occurs at the judgment seat of Christ, not before. The ongoing influence of a believer's life on others may extend beyond their lifetime, so only at the end can God justly reward.
1 Corinthians 4:5 — This verse directly states that judgment should wait until the Lord comes, who will reveal the hidden things and reward each person.
The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:5, "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God." This indicates that evaluation of believers' works is reserved for the Lord's coming. Also, in 2 Corinthians 5:10 (as alluded to in the evidence), believers must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive things done in the body, whether good or bad. This judgment is for reward, not salvation, as Les clarifies. Revelation 22:12 says, "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Thus, rewards are tied to the Lord's return and the judgment that follows.
Les Feldick teaches that believers are saved by faith apart from works, but their works as believers are important because they result in rewards laid up in heaven. He stresses that these rewards are enjoyed for eternity and are based on faithfulness in this life. He clarifies that the judgment seat of Christ is only for believers, to determine rewards, not to deal with sin, since sin was judged at the cross. He uses the analogy of Olympic athletes to show that believers should strive and work for rewards. He also indicates that rewards will have practical implications in the Kingdom, where believers will rule and reign with Christ, with levels of responsibility based on faithfulness.
Les Feldick explains that believers should not judge before the time, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:5. The judgment of believers' works is reserved for the Lord, who will reveal the hidden things and the counsels of hearts. This implies that the full impact of a believer's life, including influence on others, cannot be fully known until the end. The Lord, as the righteous judge, will reveal the complete outcome at His coming.
Les Feldick emphasizes that rewards are based on the believer's Christian walk in this life on earth. He notes that believers will receive rewards based on their faith and service, and that everything done for God's glory is like sending treasure ahead to heaven. He also explains that at the judgment seat of Christ, believers will receive rewards according to what they have done, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Les Feldick teaches that rewards will be given at the Lord's return, as indicated in Revelation 22:12: "Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me." He explains that rewards will come to fruition primarily in the Kingdom economy, when Christ rules and believers reign with Him. The rewards will be based on faithfulness in this life.
Les Feldick clarifies that believers will not face their sin at the judgment seat of Christ. Sin has already been judged at the cross and is under the blood. The judgment seat is only for determining rewards, never to determine eternal destiny. The great white throne judgment is for the lost.
Judgment Reserved for the Lord
Les explains that believers should not judge others prematurely, as the Lord will judge at the proper time, revealing hidden things and rewarding each person.
Reward Motivates Faithful Living
Les teaches that the anticipation of reward should drive believers to live fruitful lives, comparing it to Olympic athletes striving for a prize.
Rewards Realized in the Kingdom
Les explains that rewards will come to fruition when Christ's Kingdom is established on earth, and believers will rule and reign with Him, with responsibilities based on faithfulness.
No Sin at the Bema Seat
Les clarifies that the judgment seat of Christ is only for rewards, not for dealing with sin, which was already judged at the cross.
Works Build Reward
Les illustrates that believers accumulate rewards like gold, silver, and precious stones through faithful service, while wood, hay, and stubble count for nothing.
Reward at Christ's Coming
Les points to Revelation 22:12, where Christ says He brings His reward with Him to give to every man according to his works, indicating that rewards are given at His return.
Bema Seat for Reward
Les references 2 Corinthians 5:10, stating that believers must appear before the bema seat to receive what is due for deeds done in the body, strictly for reward.
Rewards Lead to Kingdom Service
Les connects rewards to future responsibility in the Kingdom, noting that those who are faithful will reign with Christ.
1 Corinthians 4:5: Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
This verse explicitly says that judgment of believers' works is reserved for the Lord's coming, supporting the idea that rewards are delayed until then.
2 Corinthians 5:10: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
This verse teaches that believers appear before the bema seat to receive rewards for their deeds, which occurs after this life.
Revelation 22:12: And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Christ promises to bring rewards when He returns, connecting the timing of rewards to His second coming.
1 Corinthians 3:12-13: Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
This passage speaks of the testing of believers' works on the day of judgment, indicating that rewards are determined at that time.
No. According to Les Feldick, believers will never face their sins at the judgment seat because their sins were already judged at the cross and are under the blood. The judgment seat is only for determining rewards, not for dealing with sin.
Les Feldick teaches that rewards are based on our faithfulness and Christian walk in this life. Everything done for God's glory is like sending treasure ahead, and rewards will be given according to our works, as revealed at the judgment seat of Christ.
Believers will receive their rewards at the end of time, when the Lord comes. As Revelation 22:12 says, Christ brings His reward with Him to give to every man according to his works. This will occur after the judgment seat of Christ, and the rewards will be enjoyed for eternity.
Watch the Teaching: Why Does God Wait Until the End to Judge? — 1 Corinthians 4 Explained